Portable air filtration system

Abstract

A portable air filtration system includes a filter housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The filter housing defines a filtration chamber between the air inlet and the air outlet. The portable air filtration system uses an ionizing mechanism, a filter media, and an electrode to filter air. The ionizing mechanism ionizes particles within the air to a negative charge. The filter media is disposed between the ionizing mechanism and the air outlet for entrapping the particles. The electrode is disposed between the ionizing mechanism and the filter media to establish an electric field. The electric field is established between the ionizing mechanism and the electrode adjacent to the filter media. The electrode is also electrically-connected to ground and to the filter media for dissipating the negative charge of the particles entrapped within the filter media.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 10 / 647,482 entitled “Portable Air Filtration System Utilizing A Conductive Coating And A Filter For Use Therein” which is commonly assigned and was filed on the same date as the present application. Each application is directed to a different invention.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The subject invention generally relates to a portable air filtration system for filtering air. The portable air filtration system of the subject invention is primarily for use in vehicles but may also be used to filter air in rooms of commercial and residential buildings.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Air filtration systems are known in the art. Many of these air filtration systems utilize ionization to enhance efficiency of a filter used within the air filtration system. The air filtration systems of the prior art are deficient for a variety of reasons.[0004]One example of a prior art air filtration system is disc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Accordingly, the subject invention provides a novel air filtration system that is safe. More specifically, because the filter media is not within the electric field, the filter media is not exposed to any arcing within the electric field and is not susceptible to catching fire. Furthermore, the air filtration system of the subject invention eliminates the need for a separate control electrode and ground electrode. Instead, this air filtration system simplifies the required componentry by integrating the control electrode and the ground electrode into a single electrode. This single electrode provides a plane for establishing the electric field with the ionizing mechanism and also provides a ground for dissipating charges in the filter media. It is also advantageous that the air filtration system of the subject invention is portable.

Problems solved by technology

The air filtration systems of the prior art are deficient for a variety of reasons.

With particular reference to FIG. 1 of the '470 patent, this air filtration system is deficient because the electrode E, a ground electrode, is positioned downstream from the filter F. As such, the filter F is disposed within the electric field that is established between the ionizing wires W and the electrode E. Ultimately, this particular air filtration system presents a safety hazard as the filter F may be exposed to arcing that occurs in the electric field.

The filter F may catch fire, destroy the air filtration system, and be dangerous to users of the air filtration system.

However, the air filtration system disclosed in the '383 patent is also deficient because it requires two electrodes that are separate from one another, a control electrode 104 and a downstream ground electrode 106, for sufficient ionization.

Therefore, the design for this air filtration system is not optimized and is unnecessarily expensive.

Finally, many of the air filtration systems of the prior art are deficient in that they are not sufficiently portable.

That is, many air filtration systems are heavy, bulky, and awkward.

For example, many air filtration systems do not include a handle for conveniently carrying the air filtration system from vehicle to vehicle or from room to room.

Other air filtration systems include a filter housing that is constructed of a metal which tends to add weight to the air filtration system and makes it heavy to carry.

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